Agent's Take: 10 NFL free agency observations from first week, including resurgent RB market, guards get paid

Breaking down a number of moves that occurred early on in free agency

Money was burning a hole in NFL owners pockets, thanks to an unprecedented $30.6 million increase in the salary cap when teams could officially begin contacting the agents of players with expiring contracts as the two-day negotiating window that's a precursor to the start of free agency opened on Monday. As usual, the initial days of free agency were a seller's market. The tables have turned since the first wave of free agency is over. It's now a buyer's market. Nearly all of the consensus best players available who were on the open market have been signed.

The NFL annual owners meeting, which is March 24-27 in Orlando, Florida, typically signifies the end of free agency for all practical purposes. Teams will devote most of their attention to the upcoming NFL Draft held April 25-27 after the meeting wraps up.

Here are a 10 contract-related thoughts and observations relating to free agency and the early part of the offseason.